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- Nipples are sensitive erogenous zones and stimulating them can give you an orgasm.
- Research shows that stimulating nipples activates the same brain regions as stimulating the genitals.
- To have a nipple orgasm, have your partner start by gently massaging them with their fingers or mouth.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
You don't have to stimulate your genitals in order to have an orgasm. Turns out, your nipples are sensitive enough to also trigger an orgasm. Though, if you're used to touching your genitals to climax, attaining a nipple orgasm will take some time and practice.
Is a nipple orgasm real?
"Like so many other erogenous zones, the breasts are jam-packed with nerves," says Gigi Engle, a certified sexologist and sex educator in private practice.
And just like your genitals, when those nerves in your breasts or nipples are stimulated, you can become highly aroused and may even orgasm.
It's important to note that nipple orgasms are relatively rare, though there are no exact numbers to indicate how many people can have them. "This won't work for everyone. All bodies are different," Engle says.
But even if you can't orgasm from nipple stimulation alone, adding in more nipple play during sex can heighten your sexual pleasure and make orgasms more intense, Engle says.
In a 2006 survey, 82% of women and 52% of men said that nipple stimulation caused or enhanced their sexual pleasure.
How does it work?
Experts believe that nipple orgasms happen because the nerve endings in your nipples stimulate the same regions of your brain as the nerve endings in the clitoris and vagina.
Case in point: In a 2011 study, researchers conducted brain scans on women while they touched their own clitoris, vagina, or nipples. The scans showed that the same part of the brain lit up when participants stimulated their nipples compared to their genitals.
"The brain doesn't really know the difference for some people," Engle says, meaning that nipple touching can trigger the same genital pleasure that leads to having an orgasm.
How to have a nipple orgasm
You can have a nipple orgasm either by touching yourself or with a partner. If your partner is touching you, Engle recommends following these steps to have a nipple orgasm:
- Set aside a chunk of uninterrupted time. "You'll need to devote at least a half-hour to this play, but likely even longer," Engle says. "If you try to rush it, you will not have the orgasm."
- Start by having your partner stimulate your nipples gently with their fingertips or tongue.
- Your partner can gradually increase the stimulation as you become more aroused. They can try pinching or pulling on your nipples or use their mouth to suck or lightly bite the nipple. "Communication is key here," Engle says, "If you want it harder, say so."
- When you feel highly aroused, try to focus on your body sensations and breathe deeply. "Listen to your body. Lean into what feels good," Engle says.
- Try to be patient for your orgasm. If it's your first time trying to achieve nipple orgasms, it may take longer than normal. And if nipple stimulation alone isn't working, you can switch things up. "It's OK to stop or add in another toy to the clitoris and/or vagina, if you start to get bored or feel chafed," Engle says.
Insider's takeaway
Nipple orgasms are relatively rare, but it may be possible for some people. "Bodies are incredibly diverse and are capable of all kinds of amazing pleasure," Engle says.
To give yourself or your partner a nipple orgasm, make sure to have patience, focus, and communicate about what feels good for you.
Even if you can't have an orgasm from nipple touching alone, adding in more nipple play can enhance your sex life. The important thing is to have "curiosity and interest in discovering new things about your body, sex, and pleasure," Engle says.